Pianist / Composer / Producer

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: A Neo Soul / Afrofuturism band called Nu Epoque, I really liked the creativity of that trio, the way the ideas flowed and the way we used to play live, with a lot of improvisation and risk. I was the producer, keyboardist and mix engineer.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A personal, experimental project for acoustic piano, electronic effects applied on it and a visual show.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Is there any artist would you'd like your music to sound like? Would you prefer your music to be completely original and unheard instead?

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Elaquent, Stimming, Kaytranada because they're my favourite producers and I would learn a lot. Also I would like to produce music for artists like Solange, Bjork... because you have to push the boundaries and be creative, bold, groundbreaking...

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Here in Soundbetter I'm often hired for Pop, House, Neo Soul and Jazz. My personal projects are currently more on the experimental side of things.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think it's the piano playing combined with my producer vision, my knowledge about harmony and experience in different genres (from jazz, to electronic music).

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That is a creative one.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Try to look for references for the piano/production style that you would like to incorporate in your music. Be as specific as possible in your requests.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I carefully listen to the material that the client sends me, along with their references and instructions. Then, I create a chords chart and commence the production/recording process. I typically deliver the complete work directly to ensure the client has a comprehensive understanding. Occasionally, one or multiple revisions are needed to achieve the optimal result. However, in most cases, revisions are unnecessary. When required, I am available to accommodate all the revisions they need, as long as the communication remains coherent, and there are no changes in the client's direction or the material provided. Once the work is completed, we exchange public reviews as part of our collaboration.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I do most of the piano recordings using a Clavia Nord Stage 3 keyboard controlling VST pianos from Spectrasonic, Spitfire, Native Instruments etc.. The studio is equipped with top quality gears (Neumann KH420 speakers, Metric Halo sound interface, Manley Vari Mu, API2500 compressors and more...) The studio is of course acoustically treated.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Eclectic

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog for texture, character and color, digital for editing, organizing and controlling.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I started studying piano at 6. Became a pro jazz musician at 18. Got into electronics and production at 24. Since then I've been making a living on music. I'm 40 now.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Whatever the client ask for filtered through my vision and style. I try to make things alive and organic, authentic.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Robert Glasper, Kiefer, Stimming, &Me, Kaytranada, Erykah Badu, Keith Jarrett...

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Piano arrangements